Air Astana gets full safety clearance in latest EU Air Safety List

Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, reported that it has officially been removed from a list of airlines that have faced operating restrictions in the EU. In July 2009 all carriers of Kazakhstan were banned from operating to Europe while Air Astana was the only exception. The EU’s Air Safety Committee had recognised that Air Astana’s safety standards were fully compliant with the international standards and establish a system for safe flights, but had imposed a cap on the airline’s existing number of services to the EU at the time. Those restrictions were lifted in February 2014, enabling the airline to expand its European route network. Earlier this year Paris was added to its European route network, joining London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. The EU Safety List, published at the beginning of December, coincides with the EC’s adoption of its new Aviation Strategy for Europe. The list is essential to guarantee the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is an absolute priority of the Commission. It complements the new authorisation scheme for third country operators, which is being phased-in since June 2015. It will further boost air safety while cutting red-tape, the Commission stated.